Westville fire chief, Camden cops earn Awards of Valor

PHILADELPHIA — South Jersey is home to a few of this year’s Awards of Valor recipients.

A local firefighter and a group of police officers are set to receive the awards on Sept. 18 at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia.

Westville Fire Chief Eric Farley has been recognized for his leadership in coordinating the Gloucester County Fire Chiefs and Fire Officers Association Bereavement Committee.

The committee meets with the fire departments, funeral directors and the families of firefighters who have passed in the line of duty or as a result of natural causes, to make sure they get a proper send-off by their respective departments.

The committee helps plan and make the family feel comforted in their time of need. In addition, they strive to have as many firefighters as possible at each funeral service to ensure that the family sees that their loved one was truly appreciated for their time in the service.

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Since the committee first started in 2007, Farley’s leadership has allowed the Gloucester County Fire Chiefs and Bereavement Committee to assist families of more than 30 emergency personnel.

Camden County Police Department officers are also recipients for the Awards of Valor, according to a release from the museum.

Sgt. Christopher Frucci and Patrolmen Edward Gonzalez, Dennis Convery and Michael Harper investigated on a report that involved five men outside on a porch in possession of a handgun.

One of the men had pointed the gun at another’s head. When the officers arrived on the scene, a couple of men fled in different directions.

The officers created a tactical approach to the assignment and conducted a protective sweep of the area. During the sweep, a loaded assault rifle was observed in plain view and three firearms and cocaine was found inside the dwelling.